Submitting Insect Specimens (no charge for this service)
- We accept insect (and spider) specimens by mail or drop-off to: UMaine Extension Diagnostic and Research Lab / Attn: Insect ID Lab / /
- Important Note: Please do not submit floor sweepings, vacuum cleaner contents or specimens from the body (although ticks, suspected nits and lice will be accepted). Due to potential health risks to our diagnosticians, we CANNOT accept bodily fluids or other human debris. We are happy to work with a physician to identify any arthropod pest, but submissions of that nature MUST come directly from a physician.
- You can also call us, email us, and/or send images. Tel: 207.581.2967 or email james.dill@maine.edu with subject line: INSECT ID
- Submissions of images should include your name, phone number, business name (if applicable), county, problem (if applicable), specimen location (for example: on my kitchen counter), date when specimen was found, and good/in-focus images.
Please print and fill out the following form to include with your sample(s). If you are without a working printer, we ask that you write down the information for us on a sheet of paper to accompany the sample(s) — Thank You! | PDF | MS Word version
| UMaine Extension Insect ID Lab 17 Godfrey Drive Orono, ME 04473-3692 |
Phone: 1.800.287.0279 (within Maine) |
How to properly submit an insect specimen for identification:
- All insects (excluding butterflies and moths) should be placed in a small leak-proof container with just enough rubbing alcohol to cover specimen for preservation.
- Butterflies and moths should be packed in tissue or cotton for best possible preservation.
- You can mail or drop off specimens at your local County Extension Office or at the Pest Management Unit’s Insect ID Lab.
- Important Note: Please do not submit floor sweepings, vacuum cleaner contents or specimens from the body (although ticks, suspected nits and lice will be accepted). Due to potential health risks to our diagnosticians, we CANNOT accept bodily fluids or other human debris. We are happy to work with a physician to identify any arthropod pest, but submissions of that nature MUST come directly from a physician.
Please Provide:
Your Name: ___________________________________
Phone Number (optional): ______________________________
Mailing Address: (Street / PO Box) _______________________________________ (Town / City) __________________________ (State + Zip Code) _____ __________
Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________________ (We typically prefer sending our lab report via email so that we can include photos of your specimen(s) and/or links to additional online resources that often prove to be incredibly helpful to our clients)
Collection Date: ___________ Submission Date: _____________
Please provide the following information about your insect specimen:
Where was the insect found? Indoors? (garage, kitchen, bathroom, bed, etc.) or outdoors? (yard, flower garden, vegetable garden, tree/forest, lake/pond, etc.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
What was the insect on or in? (if not already answered above) (for example: found on an animal, tomato, wall, floor, etc.) _____________________________________________
Approximately how many insects were found? ____________
Describe damage, if any? _____________________________________________________________________
Additional Comments: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have treatment preferences? ____________________________________________________________
Do you have children or pets in the home? _______________
(If applicable) Submitted By:
______________________________________________________________________________
Extension County Educator
_______________________________________
COUNTY